Workforce Solutions Alamo released information today indicating that the Bandera County unemployment rate decreased to 4.9 percent in December, down from 5.2 percent reported in November.
Bandera County's unemployment rate registered lower than the overall jobless rate of 5.3 percent for the 12-county Workforce Solutions Alamo area, which includes Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Frio, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Karnes, Kendall, Kerr, Medina and Wilson counties. Gillespie County registered the lowest unemployment rate in November amongst the counties at 3.4 percent, while Atascosa and Bexar County registered the highest rates at 5.5 percent.
Comparing the Workforce Solutions Alamo metro area to the state and nation, the Texas unadjusted (actual) unemployment rate decreased to 5.6 percent in December, down from 5.8 percent in November. The nation's unadjusted (actual) unemployment rate also decreased slightly to 6.5 percent in December, down from 6.6 percent reported in November. Comparatively, the state and nation release seasonally adjusted unemployment rates with Texas decreasing to 6.0 percent in December and the nation's unemployment rate decreasing to 6.7 percent.
The San Antonio-New Braunfels metro area (SA MSA) job market experienced job gains from November to December as Total Nonagricultural Wage and Salary Employment increased by 3,000 jobs (0.3 percent) to 898,800. Since December 2012, an increase of 6,200 jobs was added to the MSA for an annual growth rate of 0.7 percent. Jobless rates decreased to 5.3 percent in December, down from 5.6 percent reported in November.
"Should these preliminary estimates hold, our unemployment rate will have averaged to 6.1 percent for 2013," said Patrick W. Newman, Executive Director-- Workforce Solutions Alamo, "much better than it has been the last five years. We continue to sit strong with job opportunities available in our region."
Almost all industries reported job gains in December. Trade, Transportation, and Utilities reported an additional 1,900 jobs (1.2 percent) since November and an annual change of an additional 1,800 jobs (1.2 percent).
Leisure and Hospitality gained 700 jobs (0.6 percent) and reports 3,100 jobs (2.9 percent) over-the-year.
Other industries reporting job gains in December included Education and Health Services with 500 additional jobs (0.4 percent); Financial Activities with 500 jobs (0.7 percent): Construction with 400 jobs (1.0 percent); and, Government with 200 jobs (0.1 percent).
There were few job losses by industry over the month. Professional and Businesses Services lost -1,100 jobs (-1.0 percent) and reports the same number of annual job losses (-1.0 percent). Meanwhile, Other Services reports -200 jobs (-0.6 percent) over-the-month, but sits at a positive job gain of 600 jobs (1.8 percent) since the same time last year.
There was no monthly change in job numbers for Manufacturing or Information Services between November and December. Manufacturing reports job losses over the year with -1,700 jobs (-3.6 percent) while Information Services reports job gains of 800 jobs (3.9 percent) since December 2012.
Comparing the Workforce Solutions Alamo metro area to the state and nation, the Texas unadjusted (actual) unemployment rate decreased to 5.6 percent in December, down from 5.8 percent in November. The nation's unadjusted (actual) unemployment rate also decreased slightly to 6.5 percent in December, down from 6.6 percent reported in November.
Comparatively, the state and nation release seasonally adjusted unemployment rates with Texas decreasing to 6.0 percent in December and the nation's unemployment rate decreasing to 6.7 percent.
The San Antonio-New Braunfels MSA is comprised of Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Guadalupe, Kendall, Medina, and Wilson counties.
The mission of Workforce Solutions Alamo is to build a premier workforce in America by providing employers and residents with the opportunities, resources and services to develop and gain a competitive edge in the global economy.
Workforce Solutions Alamo reaches over 40,000 businesses and more than 2 million residents in the City of San Antonio and the counties of Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Frio, Guadalupe, Gillespie, Karnes, Kerr, Kendall, Medina and Wilson counties. For more information on available workforce programs and services, visit our website at www.workforceSolutionsAlamo.org.